Shopian, 16 May: In the past 128 days of this year, in South Kashmir’s volatile Shopian district the internet services remained snapped for more than fifty days, whereas the recent internet ban, still in effect, was imposed in the wake of Turkwangam encounter.
According to the locals, continuous clampdown on internet services is a matter of concern for the local businessmen and students here.
They said that the authorities have failed to come up with any logic as why such internet censorship continues.
“Due to the lack of internet facility, the students here have lost access to information vital to their studies, besides they are unable to download admit cards of various exams scheduled for this month,” said a student.
There are a number of business ventures that were providing online services to their customers but the absence of internet facility has hit such ventures badly.
“We have to rely on internet for most of our business related activities including online transactions, booking flights but the frequent internet bans have incurred a heavy loss on our business,” said Irshad Ahmad, a Tour & Travel operator.
“ATM’s and Khidmat Centres also remain defunct which makes us to suffer more,” he said.
Owais Rashid, a student said, “I failed to watch most of the lectures that were available on my university website due to internet suspension in the Shopian district.”
Nissar Ahmad, a teacher said, “Most of the people in Shopian are associated with the fruit business and they have to rely on internet for accessing weather forecast so that they can plan their spray schedule.”
When contacted, Additional District Commissioner (ADC) Shopian, told Kashmir Images: “The government officials are also bearing the brunt of internet suspension.”
“Hopefully, internet service will be restored as soon as possible,” he added.
